• Melanie Rowing-Parker is part of a dedicated team of National Grid’s fundraisers who are working to raise £500,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support
• Other voluntary activities have included a sponsored swim and organising themed events
• Melanie fits in activities around day job as a National Grid project coordinator
The efforts of an Islington based National Grid employee have been recognised at the Macmillan Volunteer awards.
Melanie Rowing-Parker was named the Corporate Volunteer of the Year at the Macmillan Volunteer Awards. She was presented with her award by Paralympian Gold Medalist Giles Long MBE and Julia Palca, Chairman of Macmillan Cancer Support, at the recent awards.
Melanie, who works in National Grid’s central London office, is one of the company’s Macmillan Community Champions who volunteered to help raise £500,000, for people affected by cancer over the company’s two year partnership with the charity which began in 2013.
The cause was very personnel as Melanie explained: “My Dad died from cancer and I’ll be eternally grateful for the endless compassion and support shown to my family by Macmillan at our time of greatest need.
“It is my greatest pleasure to give something back by fundraising.”
Melanie’s fundraising endeavours have included completing the one mile Greater Manchester Swim last year, for which she took preparatory swimming lessons and subsequently raised over £2,200. Melanie’s other Macmillan related fundraising activities include organising Caribbean lunches, a baking Competition, a collection in Leicester Square, a World Cup themed Football Competition in Hyde Park, and Christmas, Easter and Valentine’s Day themed fundraisers.
Melanie was delighted to receive the award and said: “It came as a complete and wonderful surprise. I am just one of National Grid’s Macmillan Community Champions and there is so much incredible work being done by an army of volunteers from across the business raising much needed funds for Macmillan and people affected by cancer throughout the UK.
“As one of them, I feel especially proud and humbled to receive an Award which really is due and reflects on the work of a great many of my colleagues from National Grid.
Melanie’s volunteering is not limited to Macmillan related activities and she recently volunteered for a Community Action Day at Iver Environment Centre near Slough, helping repair equipment, paint fences and assisting with assorted gardening tasks.
National Grid – which was named Responsible Business of the Year 2014 -actively encourages its employees to participate in volunteering. Hundreds of volunteers help out in in schools, universities, charities, amateur sports clubs and local community organisations across the country.
Melanie commented: “Every single one of us has the ability to make a positive difference to the lives of others, so there are no excuses not to get stuck in and help. I’d encourage anyone not currently volunteering to get involved in some way.”
“Volunteering has provided me with added benefits, opportunities to enhance and gain new skills and widen social networks. What can be more enriching as a human being to be able to pass on knowledge and help someone else directly at a time of great need?”